baboock



y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. EABOOOK, OE PEOvIDENcE, RHODE IsLAND.

"ANCHOR-STOPPER.

Speccation forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,873, dated August 7, 1866.

l plan; and Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. l, but with the parts in position for dropping the anchor.

The nature of my invention consists in a rotating tumbler or hook adapted to receive thelink by Whichthe anchor is supported on a point lying in, or nearly in,its axis of rotation, whereby the force required to turn the tumbler and release the anchor is not increased to any considerable exten t, except through friction, by the suspended Weight of the anchor, and when suspended the said Weight 'has no tendency to release itself; also, in combination there\vith,in a sliding rod adapted to aue tomatically fasten the tumbler and prevent it from turning when in one position, and also in causing the same'device to serve as a lever for rotating the tumbler When in another position; also, in combination with the rotating tumbler, of astationary mousing-piece adapted to confine the link on the hook when the tumbler is in its lockedlposition and to permit its release When the tumbler is rotated.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation thereof by the aid of the drawings hereunto annexed.

A is a casting adapted to be attached to the cat-head of a vessel, and having formed therein two bearings, c a, in Which the rotating tumbler B is fitted to turn on its axis. This tumbler is provided with a hook,'b, adapted to receive the link G in the plane of its axis, the point b', on which the link rests, being very nearly in that axis. I prefer to make `this point b at a little distance from the axis, on the side opposite ,the point of the hook b, as represented, to make quite sure-that the Weight suspended from the chain shall have no tendency to rotate the tumbler and discharge itself, but rather tend to hold it in the position shown i in Fig. l.

The casting A extends in front of and partially incloses the point of the hookb, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby preventing the link C from being removed so long asV the tumblerB is not rotated, but so situated relatively thereto that when the tumbler is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3 the link C may readily escape or can be inserted with ease.

The tumbler B extends beyond one bearing, a, and is adapted lo receive a rod, D, having enlarged ends, Which rod is iitted to slide easily therein, similar to the'Well-known vise-lever. When the tumbler B is in the position shown in Fig. lthe rod D drops by its own gravity .beside the cat-head and past a projecting porj tion of the casting A, Where it is not only out of the Way, but, being in that position,'it effectually holds the tumbler B from rotating so as to discharge the link C. When lifted into the position shown in Fig. 3' this .same rod D serves as a lever` for rotating the tumbler and releasing the link.

The operation of my improved anchor-stopper is as follows: The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3, when the anchor is brought to the cat-head the link C is placed upon the hook b by one hand, While the tumbler B is brought into the position shown in Fig. l by the other hand acting on the lever D. In assuming this position the point of the hook b enters the mousing-piece a of the casting A, whereby it is eftectually moused 7 and the link secured. On releasing the lever D it immediately drops into the position shown in Fig. l, thus locking the tumbler B. The anchor is now secure, and no movement'of the vessel or pounding of blocks or flapping of ropes .about the cat-head can release it.

D is raised and th'e tumbler B rotated thereby, as shownl in Fig. 3, when the lilik C slips off and the anchor isdropped.

, The link G, resting in, or nearly in, the axis When it is desired to cast anchor, the lever of' rotation, is an important point in my inveni tion, as thereby several advantages are gained: First, the Weight or the anchordoes not tend to release itself, as it would Were the bearing between the point of the hook and the axis 5 secondly, the Weight of the anchor has not to be raised in rotating the tumbler, as would occur if the bearing Were removed to any considerable distance to the other side of the axis, or werebeneath it; thirdly, Were the point of bearing above the axis, in the same plane, neither of the foregoing difficulties would exist, but immediately on starting the tumbler to release the link the Weight suspended thereto would have a leverage upon the tumbler and give a violent `jerk to the hand. By making the hook as shown all these evils are avoided, and the release of the heaviest anchor rendered easy and safe.

It will be observed there are no loose pieces, such as keys or pins, in my anchor-stopper to be mislaid or lost, and that no implement exterior to itself is required for its operation.

Itis evident that the hook b may be made double and adapted to receive a T-headed piece in place of the link C, Without affecting the nature of my invention.

What I claim as new in myimproved anchorstopper, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In anchor-stoppers, the employment of a rotating tumbler, B, adapted to receive the link C, or its equivalent,on a point or points lying in, or nearly in. the axis of rotation, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In combination with the rotating tumbler B, the sliding rod D, substantially as and for e. n. BnBcocK. l

Witnesses:

S. WILeoX, Jr., H. M. BABcocK. 

